Diastereoselectivity of the mercuration of acyclic allylic alcohols

The diastereoselectivity of the mercuration of acyclic alkenes $\text{4}$ can be reversed by changing the substituent in the allylic position; with alcohols the erythro isomers $\text{5}$ and with esters or hemiacetals the threo isomers $\text{6}$ and $\text{8}$ are formed predominantly (Table I).